400 Ferraris race to Sydney

The herd of high-speed dream machines will descent on the harbourside city for the first Australian running of Ferrari Racing Days from April 11-13. The event is a celebration for Ferrari owners but also the chance for fans of the brands to get up close and personal at Sydney Motorsport Park.

There will be everything from full-scale Formula One runs by test driver Marc Gene, including timed hot laps and a pitstop demonstration, to a kiddie zone with miniature electric Ferraris. The Racing Days are the first in Australia and follow successful similar events in Japan and, earlier this year, Malaysia.

The event marks the change to a full-scale factory import operation in Australia and is the brainchild of Herbert Appleroth, the chief executive for Ferrari Australasia. “I’ve seen the enjoyment similar events have given in Japan and was keen to get it happening in Australia,” Appleroth tells Carsguide.

“It’s great for our Ferrari owners and builds passion for the brand. But it’s also a wonderful activation for enthusiasts who don’t normally have a direct interaction with Ferrari.” The event will open with a motorcade across the Harbour Bridge to Sydney Motorsport Park, where there will be a weekend of track-based activities including the F1 demonstrations and two races in the Asia-Pacific Challenge Series for identical 458 racers.

Appleroth estimates there will be more than $175 million worth of Ferraris in action and on display, including a full set of the brand’s supercars - 288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo and LaFerrari - and eight former grand prix racecars. But the most expensive cars are some of the oldest, including a 166 MM from the 1950s.

Appleroth believes the lure of Ferrari, and the open access for spectators, will lure thousands of tifosi - the Italian nickname for Ferrari fans - to the Racing Days. “It’s the biggest Ferrari event in Australia, ever. So I think if we got 10,000 people to attend it would be great. We had 20,000 for a similar event in Japan,” he says. 

For information on the Ferrari Racing Days head to www.frdsydney.com.au